Water quality in our rivers and at our beaches is generally pretty good over the summer, except in poor weather conditions. Heavy rain flushes contaminants from urban and rural land into water and we advise people not to swim for at least two days after heavy or prolonged rain - even if a site generally has good water quality.

About this map

Each dot represents a monitored site and the colour of the dot represents its SFRG grade

Click on a site to find out further information including any current warnings in place

Is it safe to swim?

About this map:

The coloured dots represent the sites "suitability for recreation grade" which is an overall water quality grade based on long-term information. It only relates to the likely health risk from faecal contamination, not toxic algae (refer to the current warnings at the bottom of this page).

Click on the "legend" button in the top bar of the map to find out what the coloured dots mean.

Any current warnings in place at a particular site are denoted by a red flag. These warnings relate only to the latest sampling result and may indicate either high bacterial levels, a toxic algae alert or a sewage overflow warning (refer to the current warnings at the bottom of this page).

Click on a coloured dot to find out more information about this site.

Current warningsWeekly monitoring sites (last updated 27 March 2015)

There are no bacteria level warnings at this time

There are no sewage overflow warnings at this time

There are no toxic algae warnings in place at this time

Other sites

A red alert warning for toxic algae is in place at Lower Whitby Lake in Porirua. Contact Porirua City Council on 04 237 5089 for more information.

High bacteria counts have recently been recorded at or near the Wharemauku, Tikotu and Waimehastream mouths as well as in the Waikanae River Estuary. People are advised not to swim in these areas. Contact Kapiti Coast District Council on 04 296 4700 for more information.